New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon
Every version of the Fresh Foam Beacon we track, compared on ratings, specs and current price.
The line's rating is the median Better Shoes Rating of its five most recent rated versions. The median product line rates 76, and the Fresh Foam Beacon rates above 97% of the lines we track.
New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon vs. Other Shoes
Each dot is one rated shoe: the Fresh Foam Beacon in gold, all other shoes in gray.
Rating by version, oldest first
Each dot is one version of the Fresh Foam Beacon, placed by its rating and release year.
Release year
See our analysis of whether a new version is usually as good as the one it replaces.
| Version | Released | Weight | Stack | Rating | Change | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3 | 2020 | 7.5 oz | 6mm drop | 90 | -7 | 2 | — |
| New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v2 | 2019 | 7.1 oz | 26/20mm stack · 6mm drop | 97 | +5 | 14 | $120 MSRP |
| New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon | 2018 | 6.9 oz | 29/23mm stack · 6mm drop | 93 | — | 32 | $120 MSRP |
3 shoes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
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New Balance
Fresh Foam Beacon v390 90 Very good Very good Very good 2 reviews Confidence 67
v3 (2020) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 7.5 oz · 6mm drop
At 7.8 oz, one reviewer uses it for easy runs and 100 to 200m strides.
Durability 72Overall90Comfort92Value91Cushioning90Appearance88Durability72Confidence67Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
At 7.8 oz, one reviewer uses it for easy runs and 100 to 200m strides.
Both reviewers so far praise the roomy toe box, one of them with wide feet.
One reviewer has put 9000 miles across ten pairs, and says they only start to feel flat around 800 miles.
Cons
The two reviewers so far disagree about the cushioning, one finding it firm and the other too mushy for workouts.
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New Balance
Fresh Foam Beacon v297 97 Exceptional Exceptional Exceptional 14 reviews Confidence 91
v2 (2019) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 7.1 oz · 26mm stack · 6mm drop
Reviewers call it light and well cushioned, several using it for everyday miles and one for a marathon.
Durability 73MSRP $120
Overall97Comfort97Value97Appearance96Cushioning93Durability73Confidence91Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers call it light and well cushioned, several using it for everyday miles and one for a marathon.
Three reviewers call it a great value at its $120 list price.
Reviewers name the roomy toe box and a fit that suits wider feet.
Cons
Durability is its lowest-rated dimension at 4.0 out of 5, and reviewers point to the exposed foam outsole.
Two reviewers find it too soft for track and treadmill work and reach for something more responsive on fast days.
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New Balance
Fresh Foam Beacon93 93 Excellent Excellent Excellent 32 reviews Confidence 98
v1 (2018) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 6.9 oz · 29mm stack · 6mm drop
At 7.5 oz, reviewers still get enough cushioning for long runs.
Durability 69MSRP $120
Overall93Comfort99Cushioning97Value95Appearance90Durability69Confidence98Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
At 7.5 oz, reviewers still get enough cushioning for long runs.
Runners use it for easy days, tempos and marathons alike.
Many find the roomy toe box comfortable, and it comes in a wide.
Cons
The outsole carries little rubber, and several reviewers replace the shoe by about 300 miles.
Three reviewers report the thin insole sliding back and bunching under the heel.
One reviewer finds the upper sloppy on downhills, and another finds it hot and slow to dry.
